Means for controlling electric currents



' INVENTOR. 5

June 18, 1929. E. E. LITTLE FIELD.

[BANS FOR CONTROLLING ELECTRIC CURRENTS Original Filed July 19, 1916 Patented June 18, 1929.

UNITED STATES EDGAR EARLE LITTLEFIELD, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

MEANS FOR CONTROLLING ELECTRIC CURRENTS.

Original application filed July 19, 1916, Serial No. 110,053. Divided and this application filed January 5,

This application is a division of an application filed by me on the 19th day of July, 1916, Serial #110,053, for an improvement in methods of intermittently operating apparatus, which application has resulted in Patent Number 1,404,155, issued January 17, 1922.

My invention relates to means for controlling electric currents carried by conductors which are adapted to be bridged by fluids. It further relates to means of controlling currents in circuits by variations caused in the specific gravity of the fluid bridged in the circuits. As a. specific example of an application of my invention I have employed the current carried by a circuit to develop a gaseous fluid which I have employed, by suitable means, to force away from contact with each other a conducting liquid and an electrode which forms one of the terminals of a gap between which the fluid is interposed. It will be clear that with my method the gas formed by the chemical reaction of the current may be interposed as a resist: ance between the terminals to thereby open the circuit. It is obvious that in the operation of any apparatus wherein it is desirable to automatically open a circuit through electro-chemical reaction this method may be employed.

()bviously, my invention provides a means for automatically interrupting a flow of current when the same is undesirable or uunecessary.

With the above objects in view I have shown and described typical means for carrying out and applying the invention and have defined the same in the claims terminating this specification, it being understood that the invention is susceptible to a variety of different modifications without departing from the spirit of the claims.

In Figure 1 I have shown one type of construction embodying my invention, the came comprising a urinal, shown partly in vertical sections.

In Figure 2 I have shown a longitudinal section through a plug-like member which may be used as a terminal connection for the apparatus employed.

Figure 3 is a modified trap-like member which may, if desired, be substituted for the trap shown in Figure 1.

In the various views like numerals refer to like elements.

1922. Serial No. 527,204.

In my aforesaid patent, I have shown and described typical means for carrying out the present invention, which patent, by

reference, is made a part hereof. For the present purpose, however, my invention Will be understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, which show the invention as employed in connection with an intermittently operated apparatus.

In Figure l is shown a urinal of a type which is controlled by an electric circuit the terminals of which are adapted to be bridged by the flushing fluid. This figure also shows the trap of the fixture partly broken away and the device of Figure 2 in assembled relation.

As explained hereinafter, it is obvious that when the flushing fluid is slightly impure, or when, for any reason, it is desirable to automatically open the circuit, the gas formed by the chemical reaction of the current may be interposed as a resistance between the terminals.

In Figure 2 I have shown a detail view of the electrode 9, of Figure 1. This electrode, or terminal, resembles an ordinary spark plug, except that no spark gap is provided and the insulating member 27 forms a tube within which is closely fitted the cylindrical carbon electrode 7. For this carbon electrode may be substituted any other acid resisting conductor, such as either of the metals platinum or tungsten. In Fig. 2 the plug member 9 is shown partly in cross section. The lower free end 8 of electrode 7 is provided with a convex surface upon which the gas of polarization is deposited. In any apparatus employing my method, I contemplate that any suitable form of electrode, or its associated parts, may be used,

whether specifically set out herein or not. It is evident that when sufficient gas has been deposited to cover this surface, the circuit will be automatically opened.

Instead of using the form of electrode shown in Figure 2 I may use such a construction. as that shown in F igure' 3, in which is shown a modified form of trap, partly broken away. In this form an upturned bend in the trap pipe forms a chamber 12 within. which a gaseous medium may accumulate and displace any fluid contained therein. In the upper part of this chamher an opening is provided for the plug member 9 which is removably secured by means of screw threads which permit of any desired adjustment. Since in this case the bend in the pipe, together with the plug member 9, form a chamber within which the gaseous medium may accumulate the lower free end of electrode 7, as well as the lower end of the insulating member 27, are provided with plane surfaces instead of the recessed surface shown in Fig. 2. Obviously the trap pipe may be formed of conductive material, as described hereinafter, in which case it may form one of the electrodes or terminals of the circuit the other or companion elect-rode or terminal being provided by aforesaidplug member 9. ll hen sul. stituted for the trap shown in Figure l and properly connected up the modified structure may be employei'l to interrupt the tlow of current in the manner described. In this case the gas resulting from the chemical. reaction rises in the chamber 12 surrounrfh the lower free end of the electrode 7, fo cing the. trap fluid away from contact with the electrode and automatically opening the circuit. Upon re-cstablishing contact between electrode 7 and the trap fluid, as by adding fluid to the trap, the circuit will again be completed. Obviously either the immersed surface of the electrodes or their distaneeapart may be varied.

The device of Figure 1 shows my invention embodied in a plumbing fixture. The present method may be understood. by a consideration. of its mode of operation. One terminal of a controlling circuit 25 connected at 28 to the metal waste pipe 10, while another terminal is connected to the plug member 9 of the trap of a urinal bowl 1. A source of current is indicated at 6. The flushing fluid is supplied by supply pipe 3, while its flow is controlled by the electrically-operated valved, which is controlled by circuit 25. As will be seen the electrodes or terminals 7 and 10 are spaced from each other but in a position to be bridged by the flushing fluid. Upon the introduction of such a conducting fluid as urine between the terminals of circuit 25 the valve t will. operate to cause a flushing of the fixture. But if the flushing fluid is slightly impure a leakage of current would occur, for the terminals or electrodes are normally bridged by the flushing fluid. Upon the passage of the current, however, a gas is developed which it is one of the objects of the present invention to employ to open the circuit. Any suitable means may be employed to effect this result.

I have found that the invention is applicable for controlling either a direct or alternating current although, for obvious reasons, the action is more prompt with the former.

There are many forms of apparatus in which my method may be employed.

From a consideration of the foregoing it will be clear that the invention provides, in one of its phases, a method. for controlling, or operating, apparatus through the medium of changes in the electrical condition of a circuit caused by variations in the character, or condition, of a fluid which forms a link in said circuit.

I claim:

1. it flushing system having controlling means including an electric circuit; companion Met-trodes for said circuit one of which located in the upper wall of a pocket normally containing liquid; means whereby the collection of a fluid adjacent the latter electrode will force the liquid away from the the electrode and break the circuit.

In combination; an energy transforming device adapted to perform useful. work; a controlling circuit in series therewith; means for introducing a liquid resistance into the path of said circuit, said circuit having an electrode arrangedv to function in a lined position; means for trappingan elastic lluid adjacent said electrode in such a manner as to utilize the pressure of said ill'li'il. to force said liquid away from contact with said electrode.

3. A flushing system for urinals and the.

like including; a source of liquid; a valve therefor; controlling means for said valve including an electric circuit and means for sub: ituting an elastic electrically nonconductive fluid for a liquid electrical conductor forming a resistance in said circuit to thereby interrupt a flow of current in said circuit, said elastic fluid acting to force said liquid conductor out of the path of said circuit.

4. In a flushing system for urinals and the like; the combination of a receptacle adapted to receive waste, having a discharge conduit and provided with a flushing means including an electrically controlled valve; with an electric circuit including the electrically controlled valve and having insulated terminals spaced in the discharge conduit to be bridged by liquid contained in the conduit, whereby current passing through the bridging liquid tends to generate gas from susceptible matter carried by the liquid; and means for collecting the gas around one of the terminals to displace the liquid at said terminal to introduce a resistance gap in the circuit to interrupt the low of current in said circuit.

5. in a flushing system for urinals and the like; the combination of a receptacle adapted to receive waste, having a discharge conduit and provided with a flushing means including an electrically controlled valve; with an electric circuit including the electrically controlled valve and having insulated terminals spaced in the discharge conduit to be bridged by liquid contained in the conduit, whereby current passing through the bridging liquid tends to generate gas from susceptible matter carried by the liquid; and means providing a chamber open to the conduit and surrounding one of the terminals to collect gas from the conduit around said terminal to introduce a resistance gap in the circuit to interrupt the flow of current in said circuit, the entrance of additional liquid into the conduit operating to flush the gas from the open chamber to restore the bridging contact of the liquid contained in the conduit.

6. In a flushing system for urinals and the like; the combination of a receptacle adapted to receive Waste, having a discharge conduit and provided with a flushing means including an electrically controlled valve; with an electric circuit including the electrically controlled valve and having terminals spaced in the discharge conduit to be bridged by liquid contained in the conduit, whereby current passing through the bridging liquid tends to generate gas from susceptible matter carried by the liquid; and an insulating sleeve for one of the terminals having a concave end at the extremity of the terminal open to the conduit, said concave end serving to collect gas generated at the enclosed terminal to introduce a resistance gap in the circuit, said concave end being positioned with relation to the conduit whereby additional liquid entering the conduit tends to clear the gas from the terminal to restore the bridging contact of the liquid contained in the conduit.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature at Los Angeles, California, this 29th day of December, 1921.

EDGAR EARLE LITTLEFIELD. 

